June 13, 2023
Episode #169 – Travis Steffen – Growth Accelerator in Service of Humanity
“If I’m not doing something that doesn’t have what I feel is a clear path to changing the course of human history in some significant way, I feel like I’m wasting my time.” – Travis Steffen
- Sponsored Links:
- Entrepreneurs Edge
- SHIFT Program
- Selected links and people mentioned from this episode:
- GrowFlow
- GrowthTeam
- Viral Hero by Travis Steffen
- The Yes Movie by Louis Lautman
- Andrea Lake
- Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
- Dario Meli, Quietly
- Dr. Paul Stoltz
- All-In – Podcast
- Eliezer Yudkowsky
- Contagious by Jonah Berger
- Lean Customer Development by Cindy Alvarez
- greatness by Dr. David Cook
- Connect with REIN Canada
- REIN Canada
- [email protected]
- REIN Channel
- [0:42] Patrick introduces his next TEDM guest, Travis Steffen.
- [02:15] Travis and Patrick get rolling on their fruitful conversation and Travis shares what he’s up to and where’s he’s been.
- [04:20] Although immersed in the world of entrepreneurship and technology now, that was not Travis’ original plan. With dreams of being an American football player dashed by injury, Travis became enamoured with the online poker world, to which he committed his next several years, along with professional fighting. Through those experiences Travis understood he was a self-driven and self-motivated professional but wanted to be of more contribution in the world. The adventure of entrepreneurship begins!
- [07:37] A supportive upbringing gave Travis a solid start with confidence and support to go after what he wanted in life. Recognizing how much he didn’t know, Travis’ path became rooted in seeking knowledge, finding people and resources to learn from, and learn as quickly as possible.
- [09:28] Travis explains his approach to his online poker experience at 19 years old. It brought some financial reward, but he soon discovered his personal missing link and eagerly sought the change.
- [12:50] Mentorship showed up early for Travis in the guidance of his dad, who still provides great advice to this day! Professional mentorship has also been essential to Travis’ journey. His very first mentor came by way of watching The Yes Movie on DVD, followed by cold calling everyone in it until he connected with the right person. Confidence is rarely owned; it’s almost always borrowed.
- [17:45] Travis recounts a life-changing fork in the road, at the age of 21, on a day where Murphy’s Law was in full effect.
- [24:40] Purpose and significance. Travis describes what lights him up and what provides fulfillment and purpose to his turn around the sun.
- [28:02] As a values-driven entrepreneur, Travis shares how his values have evolved through experience, learning, and his commitment to cultivating positive culture. “Extreme Ownership” opened his eyes to how he desired to show up and “walk the path” both in business and relationship.
- [35:45] Be of contribution or a billion-dollar business? Travis shares his purpose and perspective when he is creating and building business opportunities.
- [37:26] Travis explains why he operated multiple companies simultaneously in his early days, and how the words of Stephen Covey, once he decided to put them into practice, made such an impact on his results. “The main thing is to make the main thing the main thing.”
- [40:47] Travis weighs in on crafting our own expertise vs. hiring or collaborating with people who have the expertise you need. There is validity and benefit to each school of thought.
- [45:04] Resilience. Strengthening our adaptability and resilience is an intrinsic part of our human experience. Using the gym as an analogy, Travis illustrates how we can challenge ourselves to build our resilience muscle along with our confidence. Exposing ourselves to diversity of thought is equally important to our growth and versatility.
- [49:55] Artificial Intelligence; does it light Travis up or make him nervous? Yes. Travis expands on his view of AI, both its potential to elevate humanity and end humanity as we know it. Amidst the real threat posed by the dark side of AI, as a fan of stoic philosophy, it doesn’t keep Travis up at night.
- [57:09] Monumental evolution and human behaviour.
- [59:33] With AI capabilities of the present and in the not too distant future, Travis offers his prediction of how it will affect capitalism, jobs, and society as it currently exists.
- [66:58] Travis shares his observations of the ubiquitous “woke” culture, and the unhealthy and extreme byproducts it creates. The passion and emotion of exposing ourselves to differing thoughts and dialogue are fundamental parts of the human condition.
- [72:35] Weak people create hard times, hard times create strong people, strong people create easy times, easy times create weak people. The cycle continues.
- [73:46] Travis unfolds his intention to maximize the inherent advantages he was given in this life to make the largest impact on humanity as possible, regardless of a person’s starting point.
- [75:17] Ripping into the rapid fire: impactful books Travis recommends; listening to music for purpose; favourite movie; favourite swear word; Android or Apple; physical fitness routine.
- [79:05] Travis’ mindful and expansive experience of gratitude.
